Bhiwani travel guide

Bhiwani, India

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Bhiwani

Introduction

Bhiwani is a city and municipal council in Bhiwani district, in the state of Haryana. It sits west of the national capital, New Delhi, and serves as a seat of spiritual learning as well as a centre of regional politics.

The city is the hometown of three former Haryana chief ministers: Bansi Lal, Banarsi Das Gupta and Hukum Singh.

Before you go

Bhiwani sits in the Indian state of Haryana, and the material available on it is limited, so plan around the essentials rather than expecting a deep bench of visitor information. The city is warm for much of the year, so light clothing and sun protection serve you well, while the cooler months call for a layer or two.

Getting there

Bhiwani sits roughly 128 km west of New Delhi, which makes it reachable by road, rail and air. Haryana Roadways buses run between Bhiwani and Delhi, a journey of about 137 km, and also between Bhiwani and Jaipur.

Getting around

Within Bhiwani city limits, auto rickshaws are the main way to get around, and you'll find them at the bus depot, the railway station, the main markets, and in most localities. They don't run on meters, so agree on your fare before you set off. Cycle rickshaws are the pedal-powered alternative — cheap and best for short hops of a couple of kilometres, which suits temple-hopping or market errands in the older parts of town. Taxis and car rentals are available around the clock, charged per kilometre with extra charges if the driver stays overnight and rates that vary by car type; this is the most comfortable option if you have luggage, are travelling in a group, or want a vehicle arranged for the day. Ride-hailing apps aren't part of the picture here, so plan on arranging an auto, cycle rickshaw, or taxi directly rather than summoning a car through an app.

For anything beyond the city, buses are the workhorse: Haryana Roadways runs from Bhiwani to destinations including Jaipur and Delhi, the network is anchored by a main depot with a sub-depot and outlying bus stands, and private operators add frequency on shorter inter-town routes under permit. Bhiwani Junction is the railhead, on the Bathinda–Rewari line, with three lines radiating from it — one north, one south of the district, and one toward Delhi via the Rohtak line — putting Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Mathura, Jaipur, and Hisar within reach by train. There is no metro or tram, so rail here means conventional Indian Railways. The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International in Delhi; from there you either arrange a taxi or car transfer for the full journey or continue into Delhi and take a train or bus. Walking works well for the compact central markets and temple areas, where the old town's Rajput architecture and traces of its walled past are best appreciated on foot, with cycle rickshaws filling in the longer stretches — though walking is better for enjoying specific neighbourhoods than for crossing the whole city, especially in the heat.

Where to stay

Bhiwani offers a modest range of places to stay, with options concentrated in the town centre and along the main approach roads. Accommodation tends toward simple guesthouses and budget hotels rather than large international chains, so it pays to book ahead if you are arriving during a local festival or wedding season.

For convenience, base yourself near the bus stand or railway station, where you will find the greatest concentration of rooms and the easiest access to onward transport. If you prefer quieter surroundings, look for properties on the outskirts of town, though you will need to arrange your own transport for getting back and forth.

Food & drink

The source material for Bhiwani's food and drink scene is empty, so there is nothing to describe here.

What to see and do

For a small city, Bhiwani offers a handful of distinctive stops. The Bhiwani Zoo, also known as the Mini Zoo, sits on Huda Park Road in Indira Nagar and holds roughly ten kinds of animals, among them hippos, gharials and peafowl; you can walk the whole collection in well under an hour. The Star Monument, set within the Radhaswami Satsang Bhawan Complex near Dinod Village, is the town's architectural showpiece, built as a hexagonal pyramid with large white stars decorating its sides. Further out, about four kilometres from the main city, Satlok Ashram Bhiwani spreads across several acres and functions as a religious centre where Satsang and Bhandara are held under the guidance of Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj. Visitors coming here are offered free accommodation and food, and there is dedicated parking outside the ashram.

Three days in Bhiwani

Day one: Arrive in Bhiwani, a city in Haryana, by Indian Railways at Bhiwani Junction, which links Bathinda, Rewari, Rohtak, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Mathura and Hisar. If you fly, Indira Gandhi International in New Delhi is your gateway, and Haryana Roadways buses connect Delhi, Jaipur and Rohtak. Within Bhiwani you can get around by cycle rickshaw or taxi. Confirm your accommodation in advance, then set out on foot to get your bearings.

Day two: Spend the day walking the city and taking in its character. Bhiwani has produced notable Indian boxers, and the city's name is associated with figures such as Bansi Lal, Banarsi Das Gupta and Hukum Singh. Carry water and set a slow pace. For a change of scene, ride out to Rohtak or Hisar, both reachable from Bhiwani.

Day three: Visit the Bhiwani Zoo, then sample Haryanvi food before you leave. Confirm your onward travel by Indian Railways from Bhiwani Junction, or by Haryana Roadways to Delhi, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Amritsar or Mathura. If you are heading to the airport, allow time for the run to Indira Gandhi International in New Delhi.

About this place